Satan has robed a harlot, named her 'Christianity' and succeeded in
imposing her upon many. They are fondling with her. She indulges them
in sensuality, while encouraging them to hope for a blissful immortality.
The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. They are
reveling, feasting and banqueting with her — crazed by her seductive charms.
She has neither purity, peace, nor power. Her robes are defiled by
sin. She scoffs at pure Christianity, and calls her old-fashioned.

This strange young woman is using every device to allure souls into
her wanton chamber. She is most subtle of heart. She "flatters with her
words. In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night — she
walks in the streets, and lies wait at every corner, that she might catch
and kiss him who is void of understanding." With a beguiling, impudent face,
she says to him: "I have peace offerings with me; I have decked my bed with
tapestry and fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes,
and cinnamon. Come let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us
enjoy each other's caresses."

Such is the mirthful, shallow, frivolous Christianity of the popular
present day religions! The generality of professors (we speak in
love) desire a Christianity which will go with them to the halls of
pleasure; which will dine with them at their rich banquets; which will smile
on them as they walk in the ways of sin and worldliness — calming their
fears with her flattering words of 'peace, peace'.

Primitive Christianity, they consider, was good enough for
primitive days — but she would be a horrid old maid in these days
of progress. In this fast-moving age, the Christianity that crowned
the life of Christ and the holy apostles, is altogether too antiquated.
She drew men from the world;
she crucified their lusts;
she taught them to practice self-denial;
she brought them in humility to her feet;
she led them in the paths of virtue and holiness;
she upbraided them for sin, and told them of the vengeance and wrath of God
against every evil.

The Christian world today, in general, is saying, "Away
with such an old-time Christianity! She has no charms for us! She
is too common and plain — too grave and sober! We will not walk with her!
Give us the mirthful and dashing young harlot — that we may walk with
her amid the pleasures of the world, and with her gratify our lusts! She
never chides us for sin, nor troubles us about the anger of
God nor the torments of Hell. She invites us into her bosom and gives us a
sweet opiate drink of 'stolen waters', and bids us take our fill of
love.

We desire to tear off the sacrilegious robes of the harlot of
false Christianity — and expose her shame to the gaze of every honest
soul.

Dear reader, "Do not go after her! Do not let your heart incline to her
ways! Do not go astray in her paths. For she has cast down many wounded —
yes, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to Hell,
going down to the chambers of death!"

"Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Without
warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept
over the boat!" Matthew 8:23-24

Had the disciples put out to sea without Christ's bidding — they would not
have had the same reason to expect His protection and deliverance.

The lesson we learn here is, that storms may arise, even when we are in
the plain line of Christian duty. We should not be discouraged by the
difficulty or trouble which comes — and conclude that we are in
the wrong path.

We see, also, that Christ's presence with His disciples, does not keep
the storms away. There are no promises in the Bible that Christian
people shall not have trials. The Gospel builds no high walls around
us — to break the force of the stormy winds. Troubles come to the Christian
— just as surely as to the worldly man.

There are the storms of temptation — these sweep down with sudden and
terrific power from the cold mountains of this world! Then, there are storms
of sickness, of disappointment and adversity, of
sorrow — which make the waves and billows to roll over the soul.

On the Sea or Galilee, travelers say that a boat will be gliding along
smoothly over the glassy surface, unbroken by a ripple — when suddenly,
without a moment's warning — a tempest will sweep down, and almost
instantly, the boat will be tossed upon the angry waves.

Just so, do many of life's storms come. Great troubles come when we
least expect them. We may be at peace in a happy home. At an hour when we
think all is calm, without warning — the darling
child whom we love so much, lies dead in our arms! The
friend we trusted, and who we thought would never fail us — proves
false! The hopes cherished for years — wither in our hands, like
flowers when the frost comes!

The storms of life are nearly all sudden surprises. They do
not hang out danger-signals days before, to warn us. The only way to
be ready for them — is to have Jesus with us in our boat.

"He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind
was against them." Mark 6:48

Jesus always sees our toils and distresses in this world. We do not see Him
— and sometimes we think that He has forgotten us; but that is never true.
He never forgets us, nor is He indifferent for a moment.

On the heights, while the battle was in progress, stood a group of men
watching the struggling armies on the plain below. In this group was the
American general Sheridan, who watched the mighty strife with the
keen eye of a soldier. King William was also there; but his
interest was different from Sheridan's. His son was in the thick of
the fight — and he watched the battle with the eye of a father, as
well as of a king.

Just so, Christ looks down upon our struggles in this world. He sees us
straining and toiling; He beholds all our battles and
strifes. He sees us in the waves and in the storm. He sees
us, not merely with the eye of the calm spectator — but
with the eye of tenderest love!

This is a great thought! If we can only get it into our hearts — it will
give us wondrous courage in the hour of toil, sorrow, or
struggle. Jesus knows . . .
when the battle is hard,
when the night is dark,
when the temptation is more than we can bear.

The winds were against His disciples — even though Christ sent them
out to sea. We learn here, that even when we are doing the things God which
has bidden us do — we may encounter great opposition and difficulty. We may
even be beaten back, and find the trial too great for our strength. Many of
the Lord's disciples have to make their voyage over very stormy seas —
on their way to glory. For some, duty is often very hard. Indeed, a
true, noble, courageous, holy life — must always exist in the face of
opposition and contrary winds.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples: If anyone would come after Me — he
must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me!" Matthew 16:24

There are few things at which people enact greater
farces — than in their feeble and foolish efforts at self-denial.
Very few seem to have the remotest conception of what self-denial is!

One does without meat on Fridays, eating fish instead — and thinks
that he has denied himself in a most commendable way.

Another gives up candy or a certain amusement for forty days in Lent
— and is proud of over his great self-denial.

Others make themselves miserable in various ways: inflicting pain,
making useless and uncalled-for sacrifices — as if God were somehow pleased
when they suffer!

But none of these things constitute self-denial. There is no merit or virtue
in . . .
giving up anything,
suffering any loss or pain, or
making any sacrifice — merely for its own sake.
True self-denial is the renouncing of SELF — and the yielding of
the whole life to the will of Christ. It is SELF — coming down from
the heart's throne, laying crown and scepter at the Master's feet — and
thenceforth submitting the whole life to His sway.
True self-denial is living — not to please ourselves, not to advance our
own personal interests — but to please our Lord and do His work. It is
denying ourselves anything which is sinful in His sight. It is the
glad making of any sacrifice which loyalty to Him requires. It is the
giving up of any pleasure or comfort for the good of others — which
the living out of His gospel may demand. The essential thing is that SELF
gives way altogether to CHRIST — as the purpose and end of life.

True self-denial, like all other traits of Christlikeness, is unconscious of
itself. We deny ourselves when we follow Christ with joy and gladness,
through cost and danger and suffering — wherever He
leads!

"When they saw Him walking on the water, they cried out in terror,
thinking He was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw Him!"
Mark 6:49-50

It seems strange to us, that the disciples would ever have been afraid of
their own Master. They had been in great distress all through the night —
just because He was not with them. There was nothing they had desired
so much all through those long dark hours — as that Jesus would come to
them. Yet now, when He did come — they were in terror at the sight of
Him. It was because they did not know that it was Jesus — as His very
unusual presence so affrighted them.

It is ofttimes just so with us. We are in some need or danger, and Jesus
does not come to us. We call upon Him, and most earnestly desire His coming;
yet He does not come. At length He comes, but often it is not as we had
expected — in lovely visage and gentle deportment — but in the form of
terror! It is in some great trial — that He comes. Death
enters our door and carries away a loved one. Or we experience some loss
or some misfortune — at least it seems to us, loss or
misfortune. We cry out in terror! We do not know that it is Jesus, veiled
in the dark robe, who has come! We do not know that this is the
answer to our prayer for His presence and His help. We are affrighted at
the unusual form that moves over the waters in the dark night. We
think it is new danger — when really it is the very divine love and
divine help — for which we have been longing and pleading!

We ought to learn that Jesus is in everyprovidence that comes
to us. He does not come in the sunshine only;
quite as frequently — it is in the dark night that He draws near. It
is our duty as Christians to train ourselves to see Christ in every event.
Then, whether it is sorrow or joy which knocks at our door —
we shall give it loving welcome, knowing that Jesus Himself is veiled in
whatever form it is, that He enters. Then we shall find, that when we
welcome Him in the somber garments of affliction — He will always
have a rich blessing for our lives!

"He took a little child and had him stand among them.
Taking him in His arms," Mark 9:36

This picture of "Jesus with the little one in His arms" is very
beautiful. In all the Bible there is scarcely another picture which so well
represents the attitude both of the soul and of the Savior —
in salvation, and in all Christian life.Jesus takes the child in His arms — there is love, tenderness and
protection.

The bosom is the place of warmth, of affection, of intimacy, of
confidence.

The encircling arms — imply safety, support and shelter.

Jesus lifted up the child and held it in His arms — just so does He carry
His people through this wilderness world! He does not merely tell
them what path to travel — but He takes them on His shoulders, carrying not
only their burdens — but themselves! Thus He bears them on through life and
through death — to Heaven, where they shall forever be with Him!

Then look at the picture the other way — the child in the Savior's
arms. The child's attitude speaks of trust, confidence, repose,
peace, love, joy — just the feelings which belong to the true Christian.
What a place the bosom of Christ is — in danger, in storm, in sorrow,
in death! Shall we not likewise learn — to nestle
in our Savior's arms in all our troublesome experiences?

"The beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's
bosom." Luke 16:22

Nothing is said about his funeral. Of course, if he had one — it was only a
pauper's funeral. Earth had no honor for the beggar, no splendid coffin, no
flowers. But the angels came — and were his bearers and escort to
glory!

Notice also, that nothing is said about what became of his body. The
body is of little matter, for the man himself — was no longer in that
old, worn-out, battered frame. He was soon far away in the realm of eternal
glory! When his body was dropped into the ground — the beggar, the real
man, was carried away to Heaven! We see him there, no longer a beggar —
but enjoying eternal blessedness.

There is still another thought here. We dread death. It seems like
the end of existence. But really, to the Christian — death is only a
fleeting incident in his life. It is just a moment's passage
through an experience which we never can understand; and then — eternal
glory!

One minute, this poor beggar lies at the rich man's gate — despised,
suffering, and starving!
The next moment, a strange sensation passes over him, and all is confusion.
And then he awakes — flying through the air with an
angel-escort!
And in a moment — he is inside the celestial city, to dwell forever with the
Lord!
There is no break in his life.

Death came also to the rich man. His riches could not save him from
death. No doubt he had a splendid funeral. There would be a long procession,
many mourners, a luxurious coffin, and every show of honor.

But who would not rather have the beggar's escort after death — than
the finest funeral earth ever gave to a mortal?

There have been funerals of rich men at which there was genuine sorrow,
where those who had been blessed by their benevolence came and wept by their
coffins. But in this rich man's case, there were no sincere mourners, for
the man had allowed the needy to lie hungry at his gates! He had lived for
himself only — and no one really missed him when he was gone. "The rich man
also died and was buried. In Hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and
saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus in his bosom!" Luke 16:22-23

"What shall it profit a man — if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his
soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26

That is putting the case in its most favorable light! The whole world
is the largest possible gain. But suppose a man does gain the whole
world —
it cannot keep him from trouble;
it cannot give him peace of conscience;
it cannot comfort him in sorrow;
it cannot make a soft pillow for him when he is dying;
it cannot purchase Heaven for him when he is gone!
All that he can do with the world, after he has it — is to keep it for a
short time until he dies! He cannot carry any part of it with him into
eternity!

"How much did he leave?" asked one, referring to a millionaire who
had just died. "Every cent!" was the
reply. He left all. So it is easy to see that there is no profit —
but rather a fearful and eternal loss, in gaining even all the world — at
the price of one's soul.

Then, think for how much smaller price than 'the whole world' which
many people sell their souls for!
Some sell their soul for a few hours' guilty pleasure!
Some sell their soul for a political office!
Some sell their soul for filthy lucre!
Some sell their soul for honor which fades in a day.
They are selling their souls also in many other ways — for pitiable
trifles.
Like Esau, they are bartering their heavenly birthright — for a bowl of
stew!

What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Ah! that's the trouble. When the soul is lost — there is no way of
recovering it. When we have made our choice, and lived our life, whether
right or wrong — there is no possibility of changing the results! Life is
given to us only once; and if we live it wrongly, there is no chance to live
it over again. A lost soul cannot be gotten back; it is irretrievably lost!

"One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was leaning on Jesus'
bosom." John 13:23

We are not told the name of this disciple — but we know him by his
place and posture. What were the traits in John's
character which made him thebeloved disciple? One was his
humility; another was his love — artists always paint his face
in features of gentleness and affectionateness. Another of his winning
traits was his trust. He never seems to have doubted.

When was it, that he reclined on Jesus' bosom? It was in a time of
great darkness. The Master was about to go away, and all the hopes of the
disciples were being destroyed. But where was John in that darkness? Leaning
on Jesus' bosom! Just so, sorrow, instead of driving us into despair —
should drive us nearer to Christ — to His bosom!

Where was it, that John learned? On Jesus' bosom!
Not merely on His arm — the place of strength;
nor upon His shoulder — the place of upholding;
but on His bosom — which is the place of love and tenderness.
It is a great thing to know that divine omnipotence is underneath us
in all our weakness; but mere omnipotence is cold. How much better it is —
when omnipotence has the heart of love within it.

But what did John do? He leaned. He rested his weight — on the
omnipotent love of his Lord. Christ wants all His friends to lean
upon Him. He wants to carry our burdens for us — He wants us to lay all our
sins and all our cares upon Him; but more than this —
ourselves! He wants to bear us — as well as our burdens.

"Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved?"
Song of Songs 8:5

"And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed
Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him" Matthew 27:55

These were the earliest of a great and noble
army of holy women — attached to Christ by deep, personal love —
following and ministering unto Him. In all the ages since, Christian
women have shown similar devotion and constancy to Christ
— and similar heroic love in serving Him. The record of women's
ministry to Christ, is one of the brightest in all the world's history!

Women owe an incalculable debt to Christ. He has lifted them up from base
thraldom, and from degradation. Women have always been grateful too,
and have served Christ with great devotion.

Women are found in every sickroom, bending over the sufferer with
unwearying solicitude, with matchless tenderness ministering to bodily
comfort, and pouring the warmth of affection upon feverish spirits. They are
found in the wards of hospitals, and upon battlefields, moving like God's
angels in blessed, loving ministry.

Faithful Christian mothers are following the Master and doing
work which will shine forever in glorious luster!

Faithful Christian Sunday school teachers are doing quiet service
in lowly paths — which in God's sight, is nobler than that of many of
earth's famous ones!

Everywhere, too, there is an open field for woman's ministry. Christ
is no longer here in person to be served — as He was served by these
women who followed Him from Galilee; but in His needy and suffering
followers — He is ever present; and whoever will, may minister unto Him!
For He said that in doing acts of kindness to the least of His people — we
do them unto Him.

Much practical teaching is in this picture, which is here held up
before every woman, inspiring her to wholeheartedly follow Christ.

Why do so many young Christian girls choose a life . . .
of idleness,
of love of pleasure,
of aimless, purposeless existence,
of mere dressing, promenading, and trifling —
when such a life of glorious service is open to them?

"Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him: Oh no, Lord! This
will never happen to You! But He turned and told Peter: Get behind
Me, Satan!" Matthew 16:22-23

It was Peter's love for Christ which made him so rebel at the thought
of such a dire fate for Him. In his love — he sought to hold the Master back
from so throwing away His life. But in doing this, he was acting the part
of Satan in seeking to tempt Jesus away from His great work of
atonement. This way of the cross was not an accident; it was the way
marked out for Christ; to swerve from it, would be to fail in His mission.

Our best friends may become our tempters in the same way. In
their love for us — they may seek to keep us from entering paths of duty
which will lead us to great sacrifice. Mothers may seek to restrain their
children from going to foreign mission fields. Any of us, in the warmth of
our affection for our friends, may seek to dissuade them from perilous or
costly service — which it may be their duty to undertake. We need to
guard ourselves at this point.

The path of true success does not always lie along the sunny
hillside! Sometimes it goes down into the dark valley of
self-sacrifice! And if we try to hinder any from entering upon hard
duties, urging them to choose easier ways —
we may be doing Satan's work! We may be plucking the crown
from the brow of our friend — by holding back his feet from the way of
the cross.

We all need to guard, too, against the counsels of friends who would
restrain us from costly or perilous service. In matters of
duty — we must know only one guide, and follow the call of only one
voice.

We are not put in this world to have a pleasant and easy time! We are
not put here to consult our own inclinations at all. We are here — to
go where Christ leads; to follow Him to sacrifice and to death — if He leads
us in these paths. We dare not allow ourselves to be turned aside by any
tenderness of human love. It is the way of duty, however hard, that
takes us home to Heavenly glory!

"You do not realize now what I am doing — but afterward you will
understand." John 13:7

Like many of Christ's other words — this saying of His has a much wider
application than its primary reference to Peter's perplexity. It
furnishes the key to many of the painful or
mysterious providences of our lives. We do not understand them
at the time. We do not see how they can have any blessing in them
for us. They seem altogether dark. But we have no right to judge of
our Master's work in us, or with us — until it is finished.
"You do not realize now what I am doing." How could we be
expected to understand all of the Master's transcendent thoughts and plans?

Yet this is not the end. "Afterward you will understand." This
mystery is to be explained. This perplexity is to be resolved
into the clearness of noonday. You do not understand now — because
you cannot yet see the end — you cannot perceive the blessing and
the beauty. The Master Himself knows just what He is going to bring
out of each of His mysterious works — and therefore He is not
perplexed.

Jesus assures us that, "Afterward you will understand." We shall
see the tangles resolving into lovely grace and beauty!

What is the lesson? That we should always trust God's heart — when we
cannot understand His hand. No doubt, divine love and infinite wisdom
has planned all His ways with us. No doubt, there is blessing in the
outcome, as it lies now in God's mind. No doubt, we shall see the blessing,
too, afterward!

Dear Father, this cry is going up to You this morning, from many a tried and
perplexed soul, who is fearing to "wander in the wilderness, in a pathless
wasteland." Will You graciously bend down Your ear, and listen to their
prayer, and grant the desired direction and guidance?

"Make Your way straight." Dear Lord, it is not that Your ways are ever
crooked or deviating, but that my eyes are bent on seeing pleasant little
bypaths, where the road is not so rough, or the walking so
toilsome — as on the King's highway! My way
looks so enticing, so easy, so agreeable to the flesh. Your way means self-denial, taking up the cross, and the
relinquishment of much that my carnal heart desires.

Now, dear Lord, hear my cry, "Make Your way straight before my face!" Compel
me, by the power of Your love and Your example — to go in the narrow
road! "Hedge up my way with thorns" — rather than that I should take a step
out of the way which You have laid down for me.

What if, sometimes, there are mists and fogs so thick that I cannot see the
path? 'Tis enough that You hold my hand, and guide me in the
darkness; for walking with You in the gloom — is far sweeter and
safer than walking alone in the sunlight!

Dear Lord, give me grace to trust You wholly, whatever may befall; yielding
myself up to Your leading, and leaning hard on You when "dangers are
in the path." Your way for me has been marked out from all eternity, and it
leads directly to Yourself and home! Help me to keep my eyes fixed on
the joy that is set before me, and deliver me from the very faintest desire
to turn aside, and linger in the flowery meadows which have so
often lured the feet of poor pilgrims into danger and distress!

Father, You have said, "My ways are not your ways, neither are
My thoughts your thoughts." True, dear Lord; but then You can uplift my
thoughts to Yours, and exalt my ways until they reach the mountain-top of
obedience to Your blessed will. Work this miracle for me this day, O
Lord; use that sweet compulsion which will delight my heart, while it
directs my steps! Make me to run in the way of Your commandments, and
I shall run gladly, with the blessed certainty that I shall reach the
goal at last! Have You not given me a monitor within, which
strikes a gentle warning note, when my feet turn but an instant from the
straight way?

But, best of all, dearest Lord, may You Yourself come with me along
life's road, today and every day! Let the abiding of my soul in You be
so real and constant, so true and tender — that I may always be aware of
Your sweet presence, and never take a single step, apart from Your
supporting and delivering hand!

This was the second saying of the Savior on the cross. Something
touched the heart of one of the robbers — may it not have been the Savior's
prayer for His murderers? He became penitent in his dying hour, and cried to
Jesus for mercy: "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
Quickly from the lips of the dying Redeemer, came the gracious response,
"Today you shall be with Me in paradise!" The words are full of meaning,
of which only broken hints can here be given.

Though in the agony of death Himself — Jesus could yet give life
to a dead soul. Though draining the dregs of the cup of woe — He could
give a cup of blessedness to a penitent sinner. Though His hand was nailed
to the cross — it yet carried the key of paradise, and opened the
gate to allow a repentant soul to enter. Surely
there was no more royal moment in all of Christ's life, than
this!

The promise itself, tells us what death is for the believer. "Today
you shall be with Me!" There is no long, dark passage, therefore, through
which the freed soul must go to reach blessedness. There is no "purgatory"
in which it must punished for its sins for many years — before it can
enter Heaven. At once, the redeemed spirit goes into the presence of
Christ!

Paul teaches us the same truth when he describes death as departing to be
with Christ; and says that to be absent from the body — is to be at
home with the Lord. That same day, said Jesus — this penitent thief
would be in paradise! We ought not then, to be afraid to die — if we
are Christ's redeemed and holy ones.

The words tell us also, what Heaven's blessedness really consists of.
"You shall be with Me." Being with Christ — is glory! No
sweeter, more blessed Heaven can be conceived of!

We know but little about Heaven as a place — where it is, what
it is like; but this much we know — that there, we shall be with Christ!
Is not that enough to know?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dear unsaved friend,
Could you please read the following carefully, and then sign it — if
you agree to it.

I am resolved to persevere in sin, and follow the
maxims and customs of those around me — though it costs me the loss of my
soul, and exposes me to everlasting damnation.

I am resolved to reject the Son of God — I will
not embrace Him as my Savior, or have Him reign over me. I am resolved that
I will not accept the pardonwhich God presents to me in the
gospel, though it cost Jesus His life to procure it — and I know I must
eternally perish without it. I am determined not to submit to God's way of
salvation, and I consent to be lost forever! I have made up my mind, that I
will never consent to receive a free salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ — I will not have it!

I am resolved . . .
to reject God's message,
to dare His justice,
to defy His power,
to refuse His mercy,
to brave His threatened wrath, and
to harden myself against all His invitations, expostulations, exhortations,
and promises!

I am resolved that I will not . . .
bow to His authority,
yield to His entreaties,
believe on His Son,
repent of my sins,
love His name,
or obey His precepts!

I am determined that there shall never be joy in Heaven
among the angels of God — on account of my conversion.

I will never . . .
desert the ranks of Satan,
give up my sinful practices,
ask for mercy at God's hands,
or take up my cross and follow Christ!

I am resolved . . .
to keep on in my old wicked course,
to persevere in my present sinful path,
to associate with my carnal companions —
and if it secures my eternal damnation — then let it do so!

I will not receive salvation on God's terms,
I will not stoop to be saved by grace alone,
I will not take the yoke of Christ upon me, and engage to be His subject and
servant — even though Heaven and all the glories of eternity would be
secured by it.

If I cannot escape the wrath of God — but by
faith, repentance, and holiness — why, I am determined go to Hell, for I am
resolved not to yield to any such terms!

It is of no use for the preacher to spend His breath upon
me! My mind is made up, I will be my own master, I will take my own course!
No one has any right to interfere with me — for I shall injure no one
but myself!

I have no objection to going to church, or to attending
to some religious forms — but to give my heart to God, to be crucified to
the present world, and to make God's glory the end of life — will never do
for me; therefore I gladly take the consequences.

If this is required of those who would be true Christians
— then you must stop urging me — for I will not yield! You must stop all
attempts to convert me, for my mind is made up! I have heard hundreds
of sermons, I have read the Bible myself — but I have hardened myself
against the whole, and I am not going to yield now!

Tell me no more of the Savior's love,
tell me no more of the pleasures of holiness,
tell me no more of the terrors of death,
tell me no more of the dreadful judgment,
tell me no more of the joys of Heaven,
tell me no more of the agonies of Hell —
for you will never induce me to yield myself unto God, and seek the
salvation of my soul. For my mind is made up, and my daily conduct is
enough to convince you of it, if anything would. I am resolved not to yield
— let the consequences be what they may!

I will go on just as I have done!

I will not be Christ's servant!

I will not be God's child!

I will obey only Satan!

I will follow the course of this evil world!

I will serve my lusts and pleasures!

In proof thereof, witness my signature,
____________.

Will you now sign your name?

Will you now solemnly put your seal to this statement?

Why are you so afraid?

Do not your actions speak louder than your
words? Is not your daily practice stronger proof — than just
putting your name to a statement once? If you do not say the above in
words — yet if you do so in your actions — then where
is the difference? Does not God read the language of your life? If
you say it in your daily practice — then why not boldly take the pen and
openly sign your name?

Soon the judgment shall be set, and the books
shall be opened — and your criminality and folly shall be
published before assembled worlds!

Well, will you sign the above? Why not? Is it true of you
— or is it not?
(by James Smith)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Where are
you going?(James Orr, "How to Live a Holy Life")

We have only one life to live — only one. Think of this for a moment.

Here we are in this world of time, making the journey
of life. Each day we are farther from the cradle — and nearer to the
grave! Solemn thought! See the mighty concourse of human lives; hear their
heavy tread in their onward march. Some are just beginning life's
journey; some are midway up the hill, some have reached the top,
and some are midway down the western slope. But where are we all going?
Listen, and you will hear but one answer, "Eternity!" Beyond the
fading, dying gleams of the sunset of life — lies a boundless,
endless ocean called Eternity! There, you and I are daily traveling.

Time is like a great wheel going its round. On and on it goes. Some
are stepping on — and some are stepping off. But where are these latter
stepping? Into eternity! See that old man with bent form,
snow-white locks, and tottering steps. His has been a long round, but he has
reached his end at last. See the middle-aged man. His round has not
been so long, but he must also step off. See the youth. He has been
on only a little while — but he is brought to the stepping-off place. He
thought his round would be much longer. He supposed that he was just getting
started — when that icy hand was laid upon him and the usher said,
"Come, you have made your round, and you must go!" The infant that
gave its first faint cry this morning — may utter its last feeble wail
tonight. And thus they go. But where? Oh, where? Eternity!

If you were to start today and ask each person you met the question, "Where
are you going?" and, if possible, you were to travel the world
over and ask each one of earth's inhabitants — there could be but one
answer, "Eternity!"

"Oh, eternity, Long eternity!
Hear the solemn footsteps of eternity!"

Only one life to live! Only one life — and then we must face vast,
endless eternity! We shall pass along the pathway of life but once.
Every step we take — is a step that can never be taken again.

This world is not a play-ground — or a place to trifle with time. Life is
not given us to squander nor fritter away. To trifle away time, is indeed,
to be the greatest of spendthrifts. If you squander a dollar — you
may regain it; but a moment wasted — can never be regained. God gives
us all the time we need to accomplish all that He purposes us to accomplish
— but He does not give us one moment to trifle away.

God has threatened to punish lost sinners — every sinner who lives
and dies in unbelief.
His threatenings are written in His Word — that we may read them;
they are published by His ministers — that we may hear them;
they are often repeated — that we may not forget them;
some of them are fulfilled in this world — that we may believe and fear
them.

No unbelieving, impenitent, careless sinner shall escape! The whole of the
wicked shall be turned into Hell — and all the nations that forget God.

Every one will be punished . . .justly — in exact proportion to the nature and number of his
sins; universally — in every part of body and soul; fearfully — without any mixture of mercy; eternally — without cessation or end!

The threatenings of God are backed and
sustained . . .
by His omnipotent power;
by His unchangeable purpose;
by His impartial justice;
by His inflexible holiness;
and by His solemn oath.
They cannot be more sure — nor can they be more dreadful.
Lost sinner, they are all pointed at you! They speak . . .
of snares,
of fire and brimstone,
of a never-dying worm,
of a lake of fire,
of blackness and darkness,
of gnashing of teeth,
of eternal separation from God, and
a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire, that will consume
the enemies of God! Hebrews 10:27

Punishment is in store for you! You are warned
of it, and invited to escape from it! But if you do not, then
"What will you say when He punishes you?"

Can you say that you did not believe that God would be true to His Word?
This would be to insult Him to His face, and to tell Him plainly
that you thought Him to be a liar!

There is but one alternative; you must make up your mind to suffer the
torments of quenchless flames forever — or flee to the Lord Jesus Christ
for life and salvation! He is the only way of escape — there is
salvation in no other.
There is pardon in His blood.
There is mercy at His throne.
There is pity in His heart.
There is veracity in His Word.
There is hope for you.

Flee to Him — and you are safe!Reject Him, persevere in sin, prefer the world — and you must
forever . . .
be lashed by an accusing conscience,
be tormented by a cruel and remorseless devil,
be punished by a just and holy God, and
condemn yourself throughout eternity!

"Not that we loved God — but that He loved us and sent His Son as an
atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10

As the precious balm of Gilead — these blessed words came into my
dull and aching heart this morning. Dear Lord, I thank You for them; You
have taken them from Your own Book, and spoken them to me with Your living,
loving voice — and they have quickened me to love You!

With shame and sorrow, I had brought to You my hard and insensible heart. I
could only groan out my utter lack both of faith and feeling before
You. The very desire to love You — seemed to lie fettered and powerless
within me; only an occasional struggle revealing its bare existence. Then,
Lord, while I knelt in Your presence, with bowed head and troubled spirit —
tears and sighs my only prayers — You whispered those sweet words in
my ear, and they brought light and liberty to my captive soul! Blessed be
Your dear Name for this glorious deliverance!

It is not my poor, cold, half-hearted love — which is to satisfy and
comfort me; but Your love — great, and full, and free, and as eternal
as Yourself! Surely, I had known this before, Lord; but I had shut myself up
in unbelief until, in Your sweet mercy — You spoke the Word which released
me from my bonds, opened my prison doors, and led me out into the sunshine
of true peace in believing!

"Not that we loved God!" Ah, dearest Lord, You know how deeply, sadly
true this was of me — and how I mourn over the years spent without love to
You, and at a distance from You! O hard heart, O
blind eyes, O poor dull sluggish soul — which could see no beauty
in the One who is "altogether lovely!"

"But that He loved us!" Here is . . .
a blessed contrast,
the antidote for sin's sting,
light after darkness,
hope after despair,
life after death!

Lord, my soul flings itself on this glorious fact, this saving truth — as a
drowning man seizes upon a life-belt thrown to him in the
surging sea! If You do not love me and save me — I must perish forever! But
there is no question of sinking — when Jesus saves; no fear of losing life —
when He loves.

O my Lord, how I thank You for this precious Word upon which You have caused
me to hope! Now, all the day long, my heart shall sing over the safety
and blessedness of being freely loved — instead of fretting about the
sad lack of my poor love to You.

"Not that we loved God" — is darkness, and bitterness, and eternal
destruction!
"But that He loved us!" — is light and pardon, peace and everlasting
life!

"But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have
shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret." Matthew 6:6

It is as impossible to live and prosper spiritually without prayer —
as it is to live and prosper physically without food. Those who enjoy
a close walk with God and have power with Him — are those who pray. Natural
abilities and intellect can never supply any lack in spirituality. Unless
you are spiritual — you are of but little use to God; and to be spiritual —
you must live much in prayer.

It is not those who are on their knees the oftenest or the longest — who do
the most praying. Some may pray more real prayer in one hour — than others
in two or three hours. Too many people leave the door open. Prayer
that feeds the soul, must be offered with the door shut. "But you,
when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door,
pray to your Father who is in secret."

God is in secret. He is hidden from the world. You can never reach God in
your prayers — unless you shut out the world. Shutting the door means
something more than closing the door of your literal closet. People may
enter the literal closet and close the door — and yet have the world in
their hearts and thoughts! Such have not closed the door, in the
true sense.

Even in the public assembly you must enter your closet when
you pray, and shut the door — or your prayers avail not with God. You must
talk from your heart — to the heart of God.

There is a blessing in such praying; there is a joy that
cannot be told. Such prayer feeds the soul upon the divine life, and lifts
us into realms of holiness and happiness. Thank God for the sweet privilege
of secret communion with Him.

O beloved, when you pray, enter into your closet — and be sure to shut the door!

Nowhere is Christianity more beautifully displayed, than in the home. It
changes the home of wickedness, strife, and contention — into a peaceful and
delightful Eden. It converts the home of the wicked — into a palace.
It drives away discontentment, uneasiness, fear, and darkness — and
showers contentment, peace, and sunlight into every heart.
Christianity in home life — makes all . . . love and kindness — between brothers and sisters;
love and dutifulness — between parents and children; love, peace, harmony, honesty, and faithfulness — between husband
and wife.

Christianity makes a home — a Heaven! A Christian home where all is love and
tenderness and devotion — is the sweetest and most
sacred spot on earth! A home where Christianity is crowned a
queen in every heart — is an Eden. The heart of God is filled with
delight as He looks down upon such a home! His presence dwells there, and
causes this home to be a beautiful oasis in this wilderness world of sin.

Alas, that such homes are so few! Sin destroys the happiness of man, and
makes many a home — a hotbed of contention, strife, and confusion!

When the husband and wife are kind, loving, and gentle toward each other;
when she in her weakness feels her dependence upon him, and lovingly,
trustingly looks unto him as her defense; and he in his strength and
delight enfolds her in his strong arms of protection with a feeling of
responsibility to nourish and cherish her — then they can testify, that
they have a Heaven in their home!

Unless we have attained unto such a life — we have not attained to Bible
Christianity, nor to domestic joy and happiness.

"The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the
books, according to their works!" Revelation 20:12

Every person has their book. You have yours — and I have mine. In our
text, we are told that we are going to be judged out of the books, according
to our works. We are all writing a book! We are writing in our own book. I cannot write in yours — nor
you in mine.

You are responsible for what is in your book. You are writing out
your own record every moment! What you think, what you say,
and what you do — are all being recorded. There will be no false
entries in your book. The record is self recording. Every deed records
itself.

"You must give an account on judgment day — for every idle word you
speak!" Matthew 12:36. If you do not want an idle word recorded against you
— then do not speak it!

"Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way
you live, in your love, your faith, and your
purity!" 1 Timothy 4:12

It is a serious thing to live!

The book of our life is not the making of our own character
and destiny only — but it is also helping to make that of others.

There is a wondrous power in personal influence. Your life is helping
to mold some other life — and often the one that is dearest to you. What
we are — goes to help make another what they are. What we are —
engraves itself upon the life of our friend or family. The conduct of the
parents — is being written in the lives of the children!

We are either contributing to the world's good — or evil. An evil man is a
dangerous man — for he influences others.

We have no right to live as we please. Our children, our friend, our
neighbor — has a right to demand a holy life from us — for their own sake.

The child has a right to say, "Father, for my sake I demand that you to live
a pure life." It is a wicked thing to start a child wrong in life — by our
unholy conduct!

It is not an easy thing to heal the wound which our wrong conduct has
made in the life of another. We may, by repentance and begging forgiveness,
heal the wound — but it will be hard to remove the
scar!

By God's grace — you can make your future record clean and pure. Will
you do it?

"And you yourself must be an example to them — by doing good works of
every kind." Titus 2:7

"The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping!"
Psalm 6:8. There is a prayer of tears. What speaks more loudly
to our hearts, than tears?

Israel's sweet psalm-singer once said when in earnest,
tearful prayer, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all
my tears in Your bottle! You have recorded each one in your book!" Psalm
56:8. Tears add much to the fragrance of prayer. The tears which are
set flowing by the emotions of the heart — are
bottled in Heaven and written in God's book!

O dear praying saint, pray on! Never will one tear be lost! It is too
precious! Diamonds and pearls are mere trifles — compared with your tears!
Never a word of your prayer, however feeble it may seem to be — will
fail to reach the ear of God! Amid the many prayers that are ascending to
the throne of grace from this lower world, and amid the noise of angels'
shouts and songs — He will catch the sweet strain of your feeble heart-cry,
and record it in Heaven! The perfume of a prayer is never lost!

If we comprehend the love that God has for communion with His
redeemed children, if we conceived the intense desire that He has for
us to come to Him — we would not be so neglectful of prayer. Surely, too,
our hearts would thrill with joy if we, by the eye of faith — could
see with what eagerness and delight He receives us, when we do
come to Him in prayer.

It is the Bridegroom going out to meet His bride — love is beating in
His heart! In His love, He gave His life for you — and now you have stepped
aside from the world for a time, purposely to be alone with Him in
some secluded place, and there talk with Him and pillow your head upon His
bosom. It is His joy. His yearning heart awaits
you!

God rejoices to have us seek Him in the solitary place, that the soul
may be freed from the entanglements of material things — and be enabled to
soar aloft on the wings of holy prayer into the embrace of its Beloved!

"O My dove in the clefts of the Rock . . . show Me
your face, let Me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is
lovely!" Song of Songs 2:14

Will you go?

Alas! the world engages you, and gives you no time to be alone
with God!

Christian character is the same whether it is in Christians — or in
Christ. The character of the Savior — is also the character of those in
whom He dwells. Their nature is the same, and henceforth their
character and behavior are the same. This is what is meant when
it is said: "We should walk — even as He walked."

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man abides in Me and I in him —
he will bear much fruit." John 15:5

Christ is the vine; Christians are the branches. The vine and the branches
are of the same nature. The branches retain life by abiding
in the vine. Those who abide in Christ — walk (or live) even as
Christ walked (or lived). That is, the vine and the branches bear the
same kind of fruit! This is the teaching of true Christianity.

Anything bearing fruit contrary to Gospel truth, or Christ's example — is
not Christianity — but is devilanity!
"You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father will
you do;" or sinful fruit you will bear.

This is one of Paul's hard sayings. While these words were spoken
with reference to the eating of foods — they containsa
principle which covers the whole of the Christian life. This is an
excellent direction for holy living. It means that if you engage in
anything which cannot be done with implicit faith and confidence in God — it
is sin!

In the building and furnishing of your home; in the buying of any
merchandise; in the clothing and feeding of your body; in your
conversations, recreations, amusements, entertainments, and social
gatherings — if there is not innocent, child-like, heart-felt faith in
Christ — then you are trespassing on forbidden
ground!

All must be surrendered to God. There is to be no wishing for this or
that. There are to be no choosings of what we shall do, or
what we shall have — nor any self-seeking, self-love, or self-desire.

Trials are good, in that they drive us to the Lord in earnest prayer.
It is trials, which cause us to cling to the promises. Trials serve a
very important part in keeping the Christian heavenly and holy.
Ofttimes, God would have us to see more of His love, tenderness, and beauty,
and come nearer to Him. Sometimes, the only way whereby He can get us to do
these things — is to let some trial come upon us!

When Absalom was conspiring to dethrone his father David, the
ambitious son asked Joab, captain of the king's army, to come and confer. At
first Joab refused — but Absalom devised a plan whereby he could get the old
warrior to meet him. Joab's barley field being near Absalom's, the
conspirator sent his servants to set fire to Joab's barley — and thus drew
Joab out to him.

In like manner, the Lord must sometimes do something painful to us — in
order to get us to come nearer to Him. He must set
our barley field on fire, so to speak.

Our affections may be taking hold on some earthly idol — so that for
our safety, God must set this idol on fire! The eye may become too
attracted by something of the world. That object grows as a thick mist
between us and God, so that we can no longer see Him. Seeing our danger, the
Lord in His faithfulness to us — sets fire to that object, and by the
light of that fire — we can see our way back to God!

GENTLENESS is one of the fruits of the Spirit. If we have
the Spirit of Christ — we bear this fruit. "Well," says one, "in my very
make-up — I am rough, harsh, and severe." If so, you need to be made anew.
When God finds a man who is rough, harsh, and severe in his make-up — He
will, as the man yields to the operation of the Holy Spirit — make him mild,
gentle, and peaceful.

People go to a hospital and by an operation, have
abscesses and tumors removed from the internal parts. Just so, God, by a
blessed, wonderful, and successful operation of the Holy Spirit — will take
that roughness, harshness, and severity out of your nature — and instill
mildness, tenderness, softness, and gentleness instead. Harshness and
roughness are a corruption that God, in His gracious plan of
salvation — is pleased to remove. As the Holy Spirit works in you that which
is pleasing in God's sight — He will make you gentle.

What is gentleness? It is humility, softness,
mildness and meekness. It is the opposite of harshness, roughness,
severeness etc. It is sweetness of disposition, mildness of temper, softness
of manner, kindness, tenderness, etc. Those who are of a gentle disposition
— act and speak without harshness. They are not morose, sour, crabbed, and
wavering — but are smooth, mild, and steadfast. Good manners are intimately
connected with gentleness, and good manners are no dishonor to Christianity.
The apostle Paul by way of testimony said to the Thessalonian saints, "We
were gentle among you — like a mother caring for her little
children." 1 Thessalonians 2:7. Such was his manner. As a kind mother is to
a delicate child — so was he to those whom he loved.

Vastly different was he then — from what he was when he
was persecuting and destroying the church of God! He had been changed by
grace. He exhorts pastors to "be gentle unto all men" (2 Timothy
2:24) and to be "gentle, showing all meekness unto all men" (Titus 3:2).
David, in his sublime tribute of praise to God in 2 Samuel 22:36 says, "Your
gentleness has made me great."

Would you, my reader, like to be more gentle in your
manner? Are you too harsh and rough? Are you, if a parent — as gentle
to your children as you should be, at all times? Husband, are you as
kind and gentle toward your wife as you should be? Do you believe that you
come up to the Bible measure in this particular? Or do you have
impatient feelings and act in a hasty, abrupt manner towards them? If you
meet with something quite provoking from your wife or the children —
do you keep as mild and sweet as you know you should?

Now, I hope you will examine closely. I do not mean to
condemn you; I want to help you. There are many professing saints
today, who are not nearly as gentle as they should be. Why not be in
earnest, and seek God for help, and make improvement? Why go along with
crossness, and coldness and snappishness in your life? Be
gentle toward all.

Gentleness is a beauteous grace.
Her excellence is great. By culture, this grace is capable of much
improvement. Too few saints experience it to the extent that they should. I
beseech you by the gentleness of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:1) —
to be in earnest and improve upon your gentleness. Never allow a frown or a
scowl to settle for a moment upon your brow! It will leave its mark,
if you do so. Learn to be gentle — especially in your home.